Features
Let the Lease Broker Do the Work
Many firms take on the quest for a lease partner without first conducting a careful review at this very important starting point. Who you will work with on your lease project is critical and crucial to the success of your lease.
Features
Assessing the Impact of FASB 46
Last month's article discussed the effect that FASB Interpretation No. 46 will have on leasing and other variable interest entities. This month, we continue our analysis of FIN 46 in relation to how and when to consolidate, who qualifies as a related party, what the impact will be on private companies and multi-lessor entitites, and the overall impact of FIN 46 on leasing transactions.
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'Vessel Financing': Section 1110 Cast Adrift
Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ' 1110, provides a special exemption from the automatic stay provisions of the Code, permitting a lessor to take possession of certain equipment 60 days after the lessee files for bankruptcy. This obtains unless the lessee's trustee performs the lessee's obligations, and cures all pre-bankruptcy defaults within the 60-day period. Lessors of aircraft are familiar with the myriad cases that have interpreted the application of Section 1110 to such equipment (see Section 1110(a)(3)(A)(i)).
IN THE MARKETPLACE
Highlights of the latest equipment leasing news from around the country.
No Surprise: 2002 an Off Year for Leasing
For the first time in at least 7 years, the equipment leasing industry has failed to recognize net portfolio growth for a calendar year, according to the Equipment Leasing Association's Quarterly Performance Indicators Report (PIR). Although the participants in the survey differ from year to year, it is not an encouraging sign that portfolio growth for the fourth quarter of 2002 decreased 1.7% from the same period in 2001. In line with the weak economic climate, disappointing results were also seen in employment and charge-offs, while new business ended the year up slightly after an otherwise down year.
Recharacterization Risks: Beware!
To the unwary, Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code may pose significant risks. The Article is intended to cover all transactions, <i>regardless of form</i>, that in economic substance create a security interest. Using this broad policy mandate, courts have frequently disregarded many different transaction forms that, on their face, were documented to appear to be outside the scope of Revised Article 9. When this occurs the party that is deemed a secured lender in the recharacterized transaction will face losing substantial rights — unless that party complied with Article 9's perfection rules, which typically require the filing of a financing statement.
FASB Interpretation No. 46: Assessing the Impact
In a culmination of a project begun in the wake of disclosures concerning Enron Corporations' use of special-purpose entities (SPEs), the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued its long-anticipated interpretation of ARB No. 51, <i>Consolidated Financial Statements</i>, and FASB Statement No. 94, <i>Consolidation of All Majority-Owned Subsidiaries</i>, on January 17, 2003.
Features
NEWS BRIEFS
Highlights of the latest franchising news from around the country.
COURT WATCH
Highlights of the latest franchising cases from around the country.
Features
Mediation Before Litigation: Delaware Court's Expanded Jurisdiction Offers Remedy in Franchise Disputes
On May 29, 2003, the Governor of Delaware, Ruth Ann Minner, signed into law new legislation that may signal the willingness of courts to facilitate the resolution of disputes before the parties have passed the 'point of no return' and resorted to litigation. If the new model proposed in Delaware meets with success and is broadened and adopted by other courts, the development could be meaningful for both franchisors and franchisees, given that disputes frequently arise in franchise systems. Both would benefit from early resolution that would preserve the strength of the system and maintain the important relationships between the franchisor and the franchisee during the balance of the term of the franchise agreement.
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